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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Stony Brook chapter.

If you ask my best friends, they will tell you I am the mom friend. Armed with tampons, advice about the importance of breakfast, reality checks and relationships tips, I have been told I am the person to come to during a crisis. In my senior year of college I am ready to share some advice, the key points that make one the “mom friend.” So here it is, a random mod podge of 50 pieces of advice from my family, things I have picked up along the way and the lessons I have learned in a year of living on my own. 

  1. Keep tampons in your car. Actually, keep more than tampons, add some pads, advil, band-aids, spare contacts, cough drops, allergy medicine and anything else you have ever desperately run into a drug store for in a box in your trunk. I have been spared many ruined pants, random sore legs and starts of colds with this. 
  2. Actually, while we are on the topic of cars you should have jumper cables too, in case of emergency. 
  3. Add $5 in quarters and a tire gauge to your glove box in case a tire looks kinda low and you can only find a gas station that charges for air. 
  4. Always cook more food than the number of people you are feeding. Save plastic to go containers to send them with leftovers. 
  5. Thank you cards are timeless, especially for grandparents and older family members, but buy them at TJ Maxx or on clearance. 
  6. Keep a stash of board games in your house, it doesn’t matter if you play them regularly but they are good to have when dinner turns into an all night hang out. 
  7. You have a voice, use it, nicely of course, but be ready to defend yourself and your friends. 
  8. Find a hobby that is just for you. 
  9. Cleaning is more fun if you have a nice candle to burn after and your favorite playlist on. 
  10. It counts if the laundry is washed but still in a basket. 
  11. LinkedIn is a tool, update it when exciting things happen. 
  12. Find a way to give back to your community. 
  13. Coupons do make a difference. Big brands all have manufacturer’s coupon websites and you can sign up for emails. 
  14. Kitchen supplies can be bought at the thrift store, this is where you can get quality plates and cookware for a fraction of the price. 
  15. Buy Shout, apply to all stains and wash immediately. 
  16. Towels and sheets should always be washed with hot water, anything else can be washed with cold to save energy. 
  17. Buy laundry sanitizer. 
  18. Clearance racks are great places to look for gifts in advance, and have a place to keep a stockpile. 
  19. Keep mint gum in your car’s center console, chew on the way to anywhere important. 
  20. On nice days, regardless of season, open your windows, you need fresh air in your space. 
  21. If you are so anxious you can barely sit still, take a shower. It helps, I don’t know the science, but it does. 
  22. Cute pajamas are always worth it if it makes you happy. So are cute underwear. 
  23. Baking soda expires after 6 months. That means no cookies, but it can still be used for cleaning. 
  24. Clean white sneakers by scrubbing them with baking soda and lemon and then washing. Let them dry in the sun for at least 12 hours of sunshine. 
  25. Amazon Prime has a student discount (not sponsored, I just love Prime). 
  26. You should be washing your hair twice, once to break up the dirt and then once to wash it away. 
  27. Rinse your hair in cold water for it to be shiner.  
  28. Sometimes, bad reality TV cures everything. 
  29. Keep orange juice or gatorade in the house in case your blood sugar goes too low. 
  30. Always have a stock of cold medicine and tampons. ‘Cause neither of those are things you will want to leave the house for when you inevitably need them. 
  31. A heating pad is an amazing investment. 
  32. Make your partner take the love language quiz, then use their love language to show them love.  
  33. If you are out and put your drink down and walk away don’t pick it back up, either finish it before you put it down or hand it to a trusted friend. 
  34. If you like to travel open a travel card and use it for basic purchases. 
  35. Make sure the DD had your location. Tell them if you are leaving. 
  36. A crossbody is the best bag for going out, keep it zipped. 
  37. A coat will not ruin your outfit. 
  38. There should be at least one frozen comfort food in your freezer at all times, in case of emergency. 
  39. Add protein powder to smoothies to make them more filling. 
  40. Get a library card. Use it. Seriously, so much free stuff. 
  41. The easiest salad dressing is just olive oil, vinegar, with onion and garlic powder. 
  42. If you are a bridesmaid, try to find the dress used on a poshmark, it’s so much cheaper. 
  43. Always pay your credit card balance in full. 
  44. When you buy a phone, find a place where the screen protector 
  45. Elderberry tea is a wintertime go to, add collagen powder for an extra glow. 
  46. Take probiotics every day. 
  47. Always pee after sex and sleep without underwear on after. 
  48. If you want to go to a museum, see if your library has discounted or free passes. 
  49. Fabric softener 100% makes a difference. 
  50. Find your favorite coffee and make it a moment of peace in your day. 

Remember that life is a journey, perfection is impossible and you need to enjoy the journey.

Julia is a national writer for Her Campus. While she writes for all verticals, her focus is the wellness section, bringing you everything you need to know about relationships, astrology, and the best ways to get down and dirty. Julia is a grad student at Syracuse University where she studies communications. She is a graduate of Stony Brook University, where she studied journalism with a minor in women's studies. During her time at SBU, she was a VS PINK campus rep, and an active member of Her Campus @ SBU. When she isn't writing, you can find Julia reading a smutty romance novel, hitting up her local crystal shop, or thrifting with an iced oat milk latte in hand. She's a Capricorn (but you probably already knew that) and a practicing yogi.